Study on the Safety of Playground Flooring Made of Polyolefin Foam Waste and Rubber Paving

Abstract

This study is purposed to verify the safety of the floor of the children's playground using polyolefin foam waste and rubber paving. The critical fall height, walking suitability, long term physical fatigue expectation and slipperiness were tested. Polyolefin foam wastes in thickness of 30mm, 50mm and 70mm were prepared with paving the rubber paving materials in 12mm and 15mm thickness respectively. The test on the critical fall height was carried out according to KS G 5758:2009. The floor hardness test equipment (O-Y HMA) was used for the test on hardness of the floor from a viewpoint of walking suitability and fatigue. A portable slipperiness tester (ONO PPSM) was used for slipperiness test. It was revealed from the test that the floor made of the polyolefin foam waste and rubber paving were considerably safe from a viewpoint of impact absorption. With regards to the hardness of the floor, it was shown the excellent performance in the aspects of walking and fatigue for male. But it was not suitable with walking on the shoes(middle heels) for female. And they will be very fatigue if they were in a long time walking or standing. As far as the slipperiness is concerned, it was shown that it was comparatively safe for the ordinary motions even though the surface was wet.

Mechanical and Dynamic Behavior of an Elastic Rubber Layer with Recycled Styrene-Butadiene Rubber Granules

“…The results after curing at moderate (23 ± 2 • C) and high (70 ± 1 • C) temperature ranges showed that the tensile strength increased, while the elongation of the elastic pavement with EPDM granules decreased with an increasing curing temperature. In addition, the test results demonstrated superior tensile properties of the elastic pavement with EPDM granules when cured at a relatively low temperature of −5 ± 2 • C. Choi et al [10] checked the head injury criterion and slip/skid resistance of a children's playground using waste polyolefin foam as a buffer. Ko and Ko [11] studied the tensile properties, hardness, rebound elasticity, and tensile strength after aging tests using urethane granules, and presented results on the basic properties of synthetic sports surfaces.…”